The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed earlier this year that the Zika virus can cause microcephaly, and the first case of an infant born with Zika-related microcephaly was reported in Hawaii in January. All cases are “linked to foreign travel in areas where transmission of the virus is active”, yet noted health authorities. The CDC has reported 14 cases of sexually transmitted infections. Only about one in five people infected with Zika virus will show symptoms.
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Officials aren’t disclosing where the man traveled to protect his privacy, except to say he traveled to an area of the Caribbean that is experiencing a Zika outbreak.
To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline at 1-855-622-6735.
“This means the area where we believe active transmissions are occurring in the state is significantly reducing”, Mr. Scott said. If symptoms occur, they typically appear 2-7 days after being infected.
Control and eradication of the mosquito is an ongoing job, and testing to see how many mosquitoes are carrying the Zika Virus increases the importance of that job as well as the cost. About 1 in 5 will have a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (pinkeye). Currently, no vaccine or drug is available to prevent Zika virus infection, and there is no specific treatment for the disease. Alan Lam, deputy associate director, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery public health, emergency preparedness and response.
· Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Fifty-seven cases involved pregnant women from around the state. “It is also important to regularly empty, over or turn over equipment that can hold water”.
In an unprecedented move, the CDC recommended that pregnant women avoid traveling to the square-mile area of the USA mainland where Zika is spreading.
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“The federal government must stop playing politics and Congress needs to immediately come back to session to resolve this”, Florida governor Rick Scott said in a statement Tuesday announcing the new cases.
